A former correista minister on trial as the alleged mastermind in the 'Villavicencio case'

Former Ecuadorian minister José Serrano and leaders of the criminal gang Los Lobos, including Wilmer Chavarría, will face trial for the murder of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio in 2023. The judge confirmed preventive detention for Serrano and other gang leaders. Several individuals are declared fugitives, including former assembly member Ronny Aleaga and businessman Xavier Jordán. The trial follows the extradition of Daniel Salcedo and others to the U.S. Serrano, who denies involvement, attended the hearing remotely from prison. Villavicencio's daughter welcomed the trial's initiation but criticized the exclusion of certain testimonies. Villavicencio was assassinated on August 9, 2023, shortly after a campaign event, with several suspects already convicted.